Kudos, Comments, and Suggestions

The Kudos come first and the recipient of them is MODERN MAN .

The occasion for that is that the group has been won one (like that?--one/won-) of the NYC Nightlife Awards and will be awarded same---along with pats on the heads-- a rather celebrated group of presenters. This all takes place at Town Hall in NYC on January 28 and will no doubt be televised nowhere. It only proves to me that David Buskin lied when I asked when they find time to rehears and his comment was---"Rehearse?". Looks like they did---and rather well at that. Glad to see that the arc is still in the ascendancy and here he and I had thought that WFDU was the pinnacle. Turns out it was only a rung on the lower end of the ladder.

Some upcoming appearances by these rather serious minded musicians are:

January 26 Towne Crier Cafe Pawling NY

March 1 Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club Fairlawn NJ

March 8 Cafe Lena Saratoga Spring NY

April 13 Orangeburg Library (2 PM) Orangeburg NY (This is a re-scheduled show from February and I thank them for working it out with me.)

One more kudo---gad--I am giving out kudos like kudzu in the south. My co-host Ron Olesko on his nomination for the Broadcast award by the Folk Alliance.

NOW--for the suggestions of where to go. Not that far (had you worried?)just to the right side of the page and click on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER. There you will find a video of some appearances by BROTHER THEODORE in anticipation of the film maker Jeff Summerel joining me on TABLETALK (Feb.10)to talk about his film TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN , about BROTHER THEODORE. The film debuts at MoMa on Feb 13--and as Mr. Summerel and I hope --the world shall be THEODORIZED.

You might also click on the PLAYLISTS PAGE where you can now see a video of on of my latest "discoveries"--at least to me---Robin O'herin. If you like gospel, blues, and ballads---all done in a unique blues-like style she is your cup of tea---or something stronger.

As to comments. I don't want to call it a review. APPLESEED RECORDINGS has once again presented us with a most meaningful and wonderful piece of work from an artist who's body of work seems endless. TOM PAXTON .

The CD you see on the left--Comedians & Angels is scheduled for release on February 19 and you will surely have it previewed on TRADITIONS this month.

As to the title of the CD; it refers to the last track. More about that later.

Basically these are love songs in the broadest terms for the word "love" . Love of family --wife and children --in songs such as " Home to Me". Jennifer and Kate", and a charming re-working of The First Song Is For You". Love for the heroes of the l960s and their activism in the song "How Beautiful Upon The Mountain". Love for those in this musical field that are now gone in the final track--"Comedians & Angels".

Love songs, as said, with the word "love" in all its wide contexts and all done in a great musical performance.

This CD does not contain any of Tom Paxton's brilliant "short shelf life" material. Rather, it contains 15 songs of meaning and sentiment that, perhaps, are the kind of thing one hopes to find in an artist celebrating another decade passing. These things are so rarely found in today's commercial world of pap. A musically refreshing breeze of new songs and revisited older material.

One piece was co-written by Geo. Wurzbach (of Modern Man). There are guest artists on this album that will both surprise you and amaze you---let that be a surprise when you get this CD. Truly a CD one needs to complement a Tom Paxton collection.

There have always been songs by him that, even if they were written for personal reasons, many can relate with. "Getting Up Early" , "Even A Gray Day", and "The First Song Is For You" (on this CD as well) among so many others. That just proves that in a musical pantheon he has to be the equivalent of writers of great literature such, say, Arthur Miller that relate the human condition to us.

Finally a quick reminder of some of the upcoming shows on WFDU which I will be presenting in the next few weeks==shows I feel are exceptional because of the people that will be involved with these programs:

SUNDAY SIMCHA: January 20 Margot Leverett & The Klezmer Mtn Boys (Live)

TRADITIONS: January 27 Noel Paul Stookey (live)

TABLETALK: February 10 Jeff Summerel re: BROTHER THEODORE (live)

FINALLY: Some suggestions---FROM YOU. If there are artists that you feel that either we have not played often enough or that you would like featured at some time please e mail wfdutraditions@yahoo.com or just make a comment (signed) here.

Reviews & Updates

Since the Holiday season is now behind us the lilting voice and video of Emily Kurn has now been replaced on the right side of this page by an artist who, if you have been listening to TRADITIONS over the years, know I have featured many times. RICHARD BERMAN .

His CDs are imbued with such great insights about life, love, and destiny as well as humor that they are really in the "knock your socks off" department---the department I have founded ever since I ran out of socks that have been knocked off by some of the great artists that have joined us on TRADITIONS and SUNDAY SIMCHA---not to denigrate TABLETALK.

I am sure that once you view the video on the right you will understand the great talent this artist possesses.

The stories in his songs touch on the various stages of a life, a strange career choice in the Mexican waters, and a great joke set to music---who woulda thunk it.

Yesterday's edition of TRADITIONS, as you know from the playlists and listening, featured a new group. A wonderful trio GATHERING TIME . Rest assured you will he hearing a lot about this group. I can only compare their sound to that of some of the best known groups we have today---or have had in the past. The group is made up of Stu Marcus who I met a number of years back at a NERFA gathering (and having been alerted by my daughter to listen to this fellow), Glen Roethel, and Hillary Foxsong (great name for a foxy lady).

On the left is a shot of their appearance in WFDU's new performance studio---the photographer was not at the top of his game ---but he was busy doing the interview---that would be yours truly.

You will also probably recall that a few artists were featured on the program of January 13. Jackie Morris and Emily Kurn have been presented before. The two that I wanted to introduce to the listeners were both surprises to me and new to a larger audience. WOLF KRAKOWSKI has been played on the SUNDAY SIMCHA program many a time. He has, however, a whole other side to the Yiddish and liturgical music. What can be best described as country/folk-rock with meaningful lyrics with a great style and voice.

ROBIN O'HERIN is a recent pleasant discovery. A graphic artist and an amazing performer of gospel, folk, blues all done in her distinctive style that leans heavily on old time blues.

If you have read the previous notes (below) you know of the updates and the programs promise to be truly unique and interesting. Briefly the line-up of guests:

SUNDAY SIMCHA JANUARY 20: A very special program featuring a live concert by MARGOT LEVERETT &THE KLEZMER MTN.BOYS

TRADITIONS JANUARY 27: We are honored to have NOEL PAUL STOOKEY visit the program some music and talk of ---as the saying goes--"..of things and of cabbages and kings" It is promised we will leave out the cabbages---kings--well---he is a king in the musical and socially responsible world.

TABLETALK FEBRUARY 10: JEFF SUMEREL joins us to talk of his new film--TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN. This is a documentary and biography of the great performance artist --intellectual and tragic figure--THEODORE--later known as BROTHER THEODORE.

While this site is dedicated to news and comments regarding the 3 radio programs along with commentary about new releases, memorable events in this genre, and other bits of miscellany I would suggest that should you have an artist that you appreciate and want featured on any of the programs to contact me either by making a comment (signed) here or e mail to wfdutraditions@yahoo.com

You might also click on the right side of this page to view more videos and see playlists for the various programs or more videos on The Almost Daily Rooster. All links are explained on the right side of this page.

Now the time has come to read of all the business opportunities I am receiving from Nigeria.